Title: Section 52-7.5 - Retrieval of tissue

52-7.5 Retrieval of tissue.

(a) Prior to enucleation, eyes shall be maintained in accordance with procedures approved by the tissue bank medical director. Eyes shall be kept moist during the interval between cessation of circulatory function and enucleation.

(b) Enucleation and corneal excision shall be performed in a clean surgical field using standard operating room technique.

(c) Enucleation and/or corneal excision shall occur within 12 hours after cessation of circulatory function unless otherwise specifically authorized by the tissue bank medical director.

(d) Eyes shall be stored and transported to the tissue processing facility at a temperature between two and six degrees Celsius.

(e) If an ante mortem blood sample is not available from a cadaveric donor, a post mortem sample of sufficient quantity to perform required laboratory testing shall be drawn via a cardiac insertion or from a large vein or artery.

(f) Tissue specimen containers and storage solutions shall be sterile and nontoxic.

(g) Each tissue and blood specimen container shall be labeled legibly at the time of retrieval with the tissue bank identification, and donor identification code or unique tissue identification number. The date, time and anatomic site of retrieval shall be recorded on accompanying documents.

(h) Tissue and blood specimen containers shall be labeled so as to maintain tissue identification throughout all phases of processing, storage and distribution, in a manner not subject to significant deterioration under conditions of transport and storage.